The Last Smile Of The Troubadour
Once upon a time, in the prosperous kingdom of Armen, a famous troubadour named Arion gained popularity. His songs were not just songs; they were tales of heartache, joy, loss, triumph, and enriched everyone who heard them. Highly revered by many, loathed by a few, Arion's life was a mix of melodious notes and relentless waves.
One sunny day, a decree was out from the palace that the king required a unique epic ballad for his only daughter's wedding. It was a golden opportunity for Arion. He knew this was his chance to create a masterpiece that would echo in the hallways of Armen’s palace forever.
As Arion was finishing his magnum opus, a catastrophe struck. His muse - his beautiful wife, Althea, came down with an incurable disease. He was shattered. Every strum brought unbearable pain, every note a silent scream of melancholy. Still, Arion found solace in his music and finally completed the composition, beautifully entwining the blooming love of the royal couple with the poignancy of his personal loss.
The royal wedding came. The air was perfumed with jubilation and excitement, but for Arion, it smelled like the devastatingly cold sandalwood that burned at his wife's pyre. He stood before the assembled crowd, his heart pounding in his chest, and his fingers rested tentatively on the strings of his instrument. Every chord he strummed, every lyric he sang, held the crowd captive.
His performance was splendid. His voice resonating through the palace, he sang of love’s magical allure, of the sweet mystique of togetherness, and amidst this celebration of union, he managed to harmonize his personal despair. His music was a beautiful catastrophe, mesmerising the spectators, making them oblivious to the sadness that cloaked him.
The standing ovation at the conclusion of Arion's performance was tumultuous. But, he stood motionless, his eyes vacant, lost in memory, his heart shed a tear for his lost love. At that moment, he felt an arm around him; it was the king himself. The king took the liberty to glance over the crowd through Arion's eyes and addressed his subjects,
'Arion, the man who made the palace come alive with his music, put his soul into his work, even though his own was breaking. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, an example of how we can find light, even in our darkest hours. I decree, henceforth this ballad will be remembered as 'The Last Smile of the Troubadour'- a tribute to his undying love for his muse.’
Many moons passed, Arion’s tale became popular. His love for his Althea, his courage, his masterstroke of resilience was sung in rural taverns and royal halls alike. Children were told sagas about his bravery and love. However, Arion himself silently faded away. Yet, the haunting echo of his melody, the ringing sound of his instrument stayed alive, bittersweet and poignant, immortal in the hearts of Armen's people.